DTV bill update: what's a few billion dollars?

Looks like we'll have to wait another three weeks for any DTV legislation. The
expected action is set for the week of October 17th. While we're all
waiting for Al Gore to step up and claim that he invented HDTV, here's
an update on what's expected.

On the Republican side, a subsidy of up to $1 billion for set-top
analog-to-digital converters would be acceptable for some. Others in
the GOP would like to see a $20 co-pay for the converter that is
estimated to cost $60. Hmm...will they need a referral? When I hear
"co-pay", I can't help but think of health care.

The Democrats are willing to subsidize up to $2.5 billion for the
converters. I wonder where they're going to get all that money; oh
well, that's their problem....riiiiiight. Dems are starting to consider
a "means-test" to qualify for the subsidy; something the Republicans
have wanted from the start.

On the "must-carry" viewpoint, the only thing clear is that it's all
unclear. "Must-carry" is the proposed rule that requires cable
operators to carry local digital broadcasts. Some of the greatest minds
involved in the legislation are proposing that cable companies be
required to carry up to two local broadcast channels. Oh, that's
a brilliant idea that helps the consumer. Let the government or the
cable industry decide which two local channels you can watch.